Batman's origins are the stuff of legend. But what happened in-between this life-changing tragedy and the moment when an adult Wayne first donned the famous cape and cowl?

Batman's origins are the stuff of legend - a young Bruce Wayne is the sole witness to his parents' brutal murder and is inspired to embark on a quest for justice.

But what happened in-between this life-changing tragedy and the moment when an adult Wayne first donned the famous cape and cowl? That's the fertile ground being explored by new TV series Gotham - coming to Fox in the fall.

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Digital Spy spoke with David Mazouz - the 13-year-old actor charged with bringing a young Bruce to life - at this year's Comic Con International in San Diego, and found out how it feels to be exploring Batman's secret history.

"It's the role of a lifetime. I live in Los Angeles and the show's in New York, so I left my friends, my family, my house, my dog, my school... to play this iconic role. If it was any other role, I probably wouldn't have done that. It's a big sacrifice, but it's worth it and I don't regret a thing.

"It's not just playing an iconic role either - it's such an interesting role to play. In the pilot episode, his parents die - if my parents died at this age, I would be totally messed up, so it's an amazing role to play, because he's angry, he's lonely, he's scared, he's dark, he's compulsive...

"He's looking for any reason or meaning to his parents' death. It's truly a gift given to me to be able to play such a great role."

What is Bruce's relationship like with the young Jim Gordon, played by Ben McKenzie?

"As soon as I meet him, I learn that his dad also was killed right before his eyes, so immediately we have a connection - immediately Bruce Wayne trusts him and respects him.

"From the start, they are friends and throughout the show, you'll see when Bruce Wayne grows older, why he chooses Jim Gordon to be the cop that he trusts inside the whole police force, in a corrupt city like Gotham."

Selina Kyle (Camren Bicondova) shows an interest in Bruce in the pilot episode - where is that relationship going?

"I don't exactly know where that relationship is going - [showrunner] Bruno Heller has given me some hints that they will have a relationship at some point in the show.

"I'm excited to see where that goes - Camren's an amazing actress, so I hope that we do get to have some scenes together in the future."

Did you dive into the Batman comics for research when you were cast as Bruce?

"I've been doing a lot of research. I watched all the Batman movies - all the Christian Bale ones with Christopher Nolan - so that was my first step.

"Then I went and bought all the original Detective Comics, starting with #27 [Batman's first appearance] - I think I have the first 20, in a DC Archive edition. I also have a Batman encyclopedia, with everything you need to know about Batman - utility belt, love interests, Bat-Cave... everything.

"But I don't think I should be doing that much research - even though I have been doing a lot - because I'm not Batman, I'm Bruce Wayne. It's my job in the show to show the audience how a rich boy who gets his parents killed goes from being that to being Batman."